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Halloween Safety Tips

It’s almost Halloween time again! There isn’t a much more fun holiday than Halloween. There is something for everyone, from dressing up, to trick or treating, to being that one house on the block that scares the kids more than the rest. Here are some helpful tips for everyone to make sure that the fun of the evening doesn’t get ruined by an avoidable injury or event.

SAFETY FOR DRIVERS ON HALLOWEEN:

First, remember that sunset on October 31, 2017 will be around 5:52 p.m.

This is important because many people are still commuting back to their neighborhoods between 5:30 and 6:30 and there will likely be children running around trick or treating. From a driver’s standpoint, like a bad winter storm, if at all possible it would be best to simply not be driving at that time if you can avoid it. If you cannot avoid it, however, it is important to change your mindset about how quickly you want to get home that evening and really take your time and be prepared for the unexpected child in the street.

Also, it is probably prudent to take note that, like other holidays, there will be an increase in the number of people who are driving while intoxicated on Halloween. If you can’t avoid being out in your vehicle, again please alter your usual mindset and leave room for the unexpected out there on the roads.

SAFETY FOR CHILDREN ON HALLOWEEN:

Adults need to be extra vigilant in helping their children, especially the younger ones, but also remember that kids of all ages will be very excited and prone to not looking out as they normally would when trick or treating.

Some other suggestions:

Please accompany your kids or have an adult with a group of kids when trick or treating.

If the costume doesn’t contain bright colors and/or reflective striping, then bring something else that glows, lights up or will make you easily seen at night.

Don’t allow your children to enter a home that is not known to you.

Accompany your children and keep them within sight while they trick or treat.

While it’s tempting for kids to run from house to house and take short cuts across property and streets, encourage them to move at a more reasonably pace and to doubly follow the usual rules of keeping a good look out and looking both ways before crossing streets.

Use flashlights. Use cell phones. Have a plan in case someone gets lost or separated from the group. Older kids should have a check in plan.

Inspect the loot that your kids bring home before they get into it and start tearing wrappers. Dispose of anything that has been opened or looks odd.

HALLOWEEN TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS:

While it is tempting (and fun) to try and create the scariest house in the neighborhood, it is also important to remember that children of different physical and emotional abilities will be visiting you and your haunted house has to also be one that isn’t going to unreasonably present a danger to the trick or treaters.

Make sure that cords and hoses and personal items have been cleared away or doesn’t present a tripping hazard. Keep areas that you expect to be used by trick or treaters well-lit and clear of potential hazards.

Keep pets properly restrained – for their own good and the kids’ well-being. Many otherwise friendly dogs, for example, will still react out of fear with little children who are excited and in costume or carrying props.